ibtm world 30th anniversary edition Knowledge Programme

ibtm world today announced the full programme of speakers at its 30th anniversary edition. Over 40 renowned meetings industry speakers are lined up to talk at the event, which takes place from 28 – 30 November at Fira Gran Via Barcelona, Spain.

Subject matters range from ‘doing business in China – the key dos and don’ts’ and ‘the art of storytelling through events’, to ‘the use of psychology in creating engaging events’ and ‘how to develop a global sustainability strategy’. Key speakers include Donald Hyslop, chair of the board of trustees, Borough Market; Robert Loeschke and Dominic Marder, global business development, American Express Meetings & Events; Nadine Vienne, Corporate Events Section Manager at Nissan; Lenny Talarico, Executive Director of Events, MGM Resorts Event Production and Roger Haskett, artistic director, Engagement Unlimited.

The speakers will join the previously announced globally renowned keynotes – Dame Stella Rimington, author and the first female director general of MI5, the UK Security Service, and Yancey Strickler, co-founder and CEO of crowdfunding website Kickstarter.

At Loeschke and Marder’s talk, ‘2018 global Meetings & Events trends’, the impact of key global M&E trends will be discussed, as well as recommended actions to help meetings professionals make the most of these trends. Alongside potential rate shifts for airlines and hotels, this session will cover two subjects explored in the 2018 Global Meetings and Events Forecast: event design, and meetings in China.

Roger Haskett’s highly interactive session: ‘the age of engage: for meetings’, will consider how engagement can lead to greater buy-in for brands and improved bottom-line results. Roger will combine case studies from his award-winning career as a meetings supplier with fascinating new research in neuroscience and psychology to weave stories, theory and application together with a team-based game that primes every participant to learn (and have fun).

Kerry Prince, Portfolio Director, ibtm events, said: “We are thrilled to have a roster of such high calibre speakers lined up to talk at this year’s ibtm world. We’ve designed this year’s Knowledge Programme very carefully, to cover a broad range of topics that we know will be of real interest to our attendees, and always with the aim of delivering added value and to enrich their experience of attending ibtm world.”

ibtm world’s Knowledge Programme is a key draw for attendees and continues to see increased footfall year-on-year. The full programme of sessions during the three day-long event covers seven topical content themes all aimed at inspiring and educating delegates with sessions that tangibly add value to their business life and personal development. Themes for 2017 include industry trends; engagement & experiences; safety, security and risk management; innovation, disruption and technology; sustainability and CSR; professional & staff development and business development and strategy.

ibtm world is the industry’s leading showcase of meetings, incentives, conferences and events and attracts over 15,000 elite international and domestic MICE delegates. Exhibitors range from destinations and conference centres to technology companies and suppliers from across the industry, and over 70,000 pre-scheduled meetings are set to take place over the three-day event.